Don’t miss out on a pawsome weekend!
Don’t forget, Burghley House, Gardens & Adventure Play are open during DogFest! There’s an entire day of excitement, discovery and history waiting for you. Step inside Burghley House to explore its historic charm, stroll through the vibrant gardens, and embark on an epic adventure at Hide & Secrets — all open throughout the weekend. Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/VasylGet ready for DogFest at Burghley this weekend
Dog lovers and your furry friends, get ready for the weekend you’ve been waiting for – DogFest is coming to Burghley House!
The UK’s favourite dog-friendly festival makes its debut at Burghley House this weekend (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June), promising a tail-wagging good time for all.
Join for two exciting days where your dogs can shine in the spotlight! Participate in Have-A-Go Activities, Fun Dog Shows, Big Dog Walks, Breed Meet-Ups, Dog Schools, and much more.
Not forgetting about ‘hoomans,’ there’s plenty to enjoy too! Lots of shopping, delicious food & drink, and top activities for kids – making it a perfect outing for the whole family.
That’s not all! Meet the stars of the dog world – TikTok sensations, Crufts champions, Dog World legends, and big-screen icons including the chance to see 2024’s Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Lucy Heath & The Trickstars!
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 June – tickets available to book online or purchase on the day.
Armed Forces lunch invitation extended to D-Day veterans
An invitation is being extended to any Lincolnshire veterans of the D-Day operations to join in a lunch being held to celebrate the contributions of our Armed Forces: past, present and future.
The 80th anniversary of the June 6 D-Day (Normandy) Landings will be the theme for North Kesteven District Council’s annual veterans’ lunch on June 24, which is a significant part of its Armed Forces Day activity and specifically celebrates the individual and collective service of veterans spanning many decades through the presentation of Veteran’s Badges.
D-Day veteran Les Budding (98) who has returned to the event regularly after receiving his Veteran’s Badge at the lunch a few years ago, is hopeful of meeting others who participated in the legendary tri-service international allied offensive by land, sea and air.
Royal Marine Les was 18 years old when he served on board Landing Craft Flak 34, charged with providing covering fire for the first wave of troops who stormed Sword Beach on June 6, 1944.
Preceded by an airborne force of over 18,000 men, more than 132,000 troops landed on the shores of Normandy to start what is widely regarded to be the beginning of the liberation of France during the Second World War. Recorded as the largest-ever seaborne invasion, 7,000 ships took part, and air operations – some of them locally-based – played a critical role both in advance of, and on the day of the assault.
North Kesteven District Council Chairman Cllr Andrew Hagues said: “It is fitting in this significant anniversary year that the immense courage and bravery of all of those involved is remembered, celebrated and commemorated.
“We know that there are regrettably very few of those men – and women, who supported the operation in myriad ways too – still alive to share their experiences of that time.
“In celebration of all those who contributed to the Normandy Landings, we would be deeply honoured to host any D-Day veterans, not just from North Kesteven but from across Lincolnshire, who are able to attend our lunch on June 24, alongside our more recent veteran guests.
“This really would reinforce the principle of Armed Forces Day recognising past present and future service.”
The invitation-only lunch will be held at the North Kesteven District Council Civic Suite in Sleaford, between noon and around 3pm.
It will feature some 1940s entertainment from the singer Jayne Darling, themed readings and the presentation of Veterans’ Badges to those who have applied in recognition of their period of service within the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal or Merchant Navy as a regular, reservist or through National Service in the past.
It will follow the usual Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony in Sleaford Market Place between 10.30am and 11am. This is open to the public to attend.
To nominate a D-Day veteran for the lunch, and discuss arrangements, please contact the Council’s Partnerships Team on 01529 414155 or email: armedforces@n-kesteven.gov.uk before June 12. D-Day veteran guests may be joined by a companion.
Picture: Veterans at previous Armed Forces Day lunch. Image credit: North Kesteven District Council
University leads on pilot scheme in Lincolnshire pharmacies
A community mental health service led by researchers at the University of Lincoln, UK, has been successfully piloted in pharmacies across Lincolnshire.
Over a six-month period in 2023, the pilot offered in-person aid across selected Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies to those experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or domestic abuse. The response scheme was conducted by a group of researchers from the Universities of Lincoln, Nottingham, York, and King’s College London.
Just as a lifeguard would provide a watchful eye over swimmers to prevent them from getting into difficulty, the Lifeguard Pharmacy service trained 37 professional pharmacy staff, referred to as “Lifeguards”, across eight pharmacies in Lincolnshire to appropriately signpost those who were in danger of harm from themselves or somebody else.
Pharmacy staff reported that after their training, they felt better equipped to identify safeguarding issues with their regular customers, which they were previously unskilled in. The service has left a legacy of trained professionals working in community pharmacies, who are better equipped to identify and support those in crisis.
Following completion of the pilot, discussions are underway to develop a commissioned offering via an integrated care service, as the project identified the potential to support local communities across services in a broader setting.
Josie Solomon, Professor in Human-centered Health at the University of Lincoln and Lifeguard project lead said: “We worked extensively with members of the public and with local services to create the service. People were extremely supportive and keen to help. The feedback from patients, pharmacy staff and the public has shown clear support for a quality assured service like Lifeguard Pharmacy.”
Jeff Law, Honorary Teaching Practitioner at the University of Lincoln and trained community pharmacist, commented: “This project has given some much-needed options and training to deal with some difficult situations that we encounter in the community. The support from the Lifeguard team has been fantastic and really helpful in supporting our staff assist some very vulnerable patients who otherwise may have been overlooked.”
The University of Lincoln is now working with Community Pharmacy Lincolnshire, the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, with the hope of training additional “Lifeguards” in key locations and developing a sustainable service to be rolled out more widely in the county and beyond, offering a lifeline for community-based pharmacies and reducing health inequalities.
The research project, “Responding to people in danger: A feasibility study to co-develop a community pharmacy response service for domestic violence and suicidal ideation” was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and received an award of £407,595.23.
Mamma Mia! The fabulous Australian ABBA Show ‘Björn Again’ to perform at Grimsthorpe Castle
Grimsthorpe Castle plays host to the top ABBA Show ‘Björn Again’ on Saturday 17th August.
Björn Again has also played at such prestigious venues as Wembley Arena, the Royal Albert Hall, the London Palladium, Hyde Park and even Glastonbury!
At the spectacular setting of Grimsthorpe, you can relax and enjoy all the ABBA hits from ‘Waterloo’ to ‘Mamma Mia’ and the unforgettable ‘Dancing Queen.’
Don’t miss this amazing ABBA evening performed by Europe’s leading ABBA tribute show Björn Again.
Secure your tickets today on https://livepromotions.co.uk/bjorn-again/
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance pays tribute to a special Lancaster on D-Day 80th celebrations
On 6th June 1944 a rather special Lancaster Bomber left its site at RAF Waddington to take part in the D-Day Operations. Eighty years later it is believed LNAA’s helicopter resides on that same site.
When LNAA moved across the road from RAF Waddington to its new HQ, it needed a name for the helipad. LNAA pilot, Cpt Tim Taylor began to investigate the history of the old aircraft dispersal site which the new helipad had been built on and soon realised he had uncovered a fascinating story.
The kookaburras
No 467 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force bomber squadron based at RAF Waddington. Equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers, its crew flew operations in Occupied Europe until the end of the Second World War.
The squadron’s insignia was of a kookaburra with a snake in its beak and its motto – Recidite Adversarius Atque Ferociter, loosely translated as: “Your opponents will retreat because of your courageous attack.”
And the squadron, which was part of the No.5 Group, Bomber Command, certainly lived up to its motto as it gained a reputation for accurate raids on Germany, France and Italy between 1943 and 1945 and fourteen of the squadron’s Lancasters took part in the D-Day operations.
Every Lancaster Bomber in the squadron had its own dispersal site. These were areas adjacent to the airfield runway used for parking the planes.
Today, LNAA’s helipad is on one of these dispersal sites, believed to be that of the famous Lancaster ‘S-Sugar’.
A very special aircraft
On the night of 11th/12th May, 1944 S-Sugar completed its 100th mission, the first allied bomber to reach this milestone. Martin Willoughby tells the story of his father’s involvement on the night the Lancaster made history.
“My late father, Ted, a Bomber Command veteran, and Lancaster Engine Fitter served on the 467 Squadron’s famous Lancaster S-Sugar R5868. The plane’s nose art depicted rows of bombs, one for each operation completed. Over the course of the war, the rows grew as Sugar consistently returned from each mission.
“Flying with Bomber Command had the highest rate of attrition of any branch of the Armed Forces. If you survived, you were deemed incredibly lucky as 3,932 of the 7,377 Lancasters built were lost in action. Crews were superstitious and soon started to clamour to fly in Sugar, believing that she would bring them safely home.
“Even when stood on its dispersal site, Sugar seemed undefeatable. One day, when Ted was working in the cockpit, with the aircraft being loaded with bombs, he heard the sound of heavy metal hitting tarmac. Looking out, he saw airmen running in all directions. A 4000lb bomb had fallen from the bomb bay but miraculously had not gone off!
“On 11th May 1944, Sugar left its dispersal site to undertake its 100th mission. Prior to loading the bombs, Ted chalked ‘100 not out’ on one of them.
“Sugar returned. It had sustained attacks from two German planes for 10 minutes but co-operation between crews in the skies enabled this veteran plane to escape.
“Sugar went on to complete an incredible 137 operations by the end of the war and, with fourteen other Lancasters from 467 squadron, it took part in a raid of German coastal batteries as part of the D-Day operations on 6th June.
“During the mid-1960s Ted embarked on his own mission to find his beloved plane. In 1969 he heard about a Lancaster stood at the entrance to RAF Scampton that may be Sugar. Turning into the gates, the familiar nose art with the bombs came into view. Ted could not believe it! His Lancaster had survived everything, even the scrap yard, where so many Lancasters went to after the War.
“Thanks to Ted, ‘Sugar’ was fully restored and today, this legend from WW2 proudly dominates the entrance to Bomber Command Hall, RAF Museum Hendon.”
Stock Skills competition showcases specialist skills at Riseholme College
In an impressive display at Riseholme College Agriculture and Equine students participated in the college’s annual Stock Skills competition.
Stock Skills is designed to provide students with the experience of preparing for a large country show. Competing in Beef, Sheep and Equine classes, the students spend considerable time preparing for the event, practicing grooming and clipping skills and ensuring their animal’s diet means it is in optimum condition. The specialist skills and knowledge developed to compete are also transferable to the workplace in the future.
The event, held at the college’s Riseholme Park campus, near Lincoln, was attended by students’ friends and families, along with dignitaries and industry representatives.
Entrants are judged on the presentation, handling and knowledge of their animal and their own personal presentation. The judging panel, which included equine expert Caroline Heard and livestock expert Simon Alker, was headed up by Ian McNee a renowned breeder of Lincoln Reds.
Interim Vice Principal Business Development and Riseholme College Beth Curtis said: “The Stock Skills competition is a fantastic Riseholme tradition and it’s wonderful to see the hard work and dedication of the young people who participated. The competition is one of the highlights of the college year and much-anticipated by staff and students alike. Huge congratulations to everyone who has taken part – you should be incredibly proud of the high standards on display!”
Under the guidance of master judge, Ian McNee, officials named Sophie Turner as the Overall Champion of the day.
In the Equine classes Ollie Edwards was named the Overall Equine Champion and Jemima Palmer received the Grooms Award. In the Livestock classes Jake Drummond was the Overall Beef Class winner, Jasmine Harris was awarded the Overall Stock Skills title and Sophie Turner was the Overall Sheep class winner, with Harry Morton awarded Stock Skills winner.
Riseholme College is one of the leading land-based colleges in the country, dedicated to supporting the future of agriculture through a partnership with the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology. Through this relationship and a pioneering student mentor scheme with experienced local farmers, the college is at the forefront of developing higher-level, technical skills in precision agriculture and precision technologies.
The college is still accepting applications for September 2024, to find our more visit www.riseholme.ac.uk.
Stock Skills Winners 2024
Equine
Overall Winner: Ollie Edwards
Grooms award: Jemima Palmer
Beef
Overall: Jake Drummond
Stock Skills: Jasmine Harris
Sheep
Overall: Sophie Turner
Stock Skills: Harry Morton
Overall Champion: Sophie Turner
Image shows: The worthy winners in the Beef, Sheep and Equine classes
Scunthorpe United splits ownership
Scunthorpe United has announced a split of ownership between four of the club’s Directors.
Chairperson Michelle Harness has allocated shares to Roj Rahman, George Aitkenhead and Ian Sharp, with the quartet now assuming equal joint ownership of Scunthorpe United Football Club with immediate effect.
Speaking about the decision to divide the club, Michelle said: “Nine months ago, I took 92% of the shares of the football club from the previous owner and had Roj, George and Ian at my side from day one.
“Since September, we have all worked extremely hard to battle the debt we inherited and work towards a more sustainable model. We’re not there yet, but we have made significant strides, and are on course to achieve this in the coming months.
“While we are at the stage where we can run from day-to-day on this sustainable model, I simply cannot grow the football club on my own, and I must also look to safeguard the business should anything happen to me, and should the football club need some additional support.
“Roj, George and Ian have shown a massive amount of commitment to this football club, and have made a big impact in helping us get to where we are today. Having them in joint ownership with myself will only help us progress further as we look to grow our reputation back to the well-run business that we can remember from years gone by.
“I’d also like to thank all the staff at the football club for their tremendous work ethic, determination and drive to bring us through the last nine months, and to the other members of my Board of Directors, who have all done some incredible work in assisting us to get to this stage.
“I have no doubt you will show your unwavering support to Roj, George and Ian, like you have shown to me so far.”
Vice Chairman Roj Rahman added: “What Michelle has achieved in the last nine months is nothing short of sensational. She will always be our Iron Lady, and everyone associated with Scunthorpe United will forever have the upmost admiration for what she has done to ensure there is, and will always be, a football club within our community.
“We’re all just custodians of this football club at the end of the day, and nothing will change as a result of this joint ownership. Scunthorpe United is a club that will always be for the supporters, for the community, and that will not change, regardless of who has the majority of the shares.
“Having had to go through an awful lot in nine months, Michelle wished to further safeguard the future of Scunthorpe United by welcoming George, Ian and I as joint owners. It’s something we’re all delighted to accepted. The hard work doesn’t stop, it only continues to grow, as we work to provide a football club for us all to be proud of.”
Following the splitting of the club’s ownership, Michelle Harness will continue as the club’s Chairperson, while Roj Rahman will continue as Vice Chair.
Image credit: Google maps
RAF Waddington plans parade to mark D-Day anniversary
Tomorrow Lincoln will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 65th anniversary of granting Freedom of the City to RAF Waddington with a parade, beacon lighting and flypast.
The Lincolnshire RAF squadron will begin its Freedom of the City Parade at St Martin’s Square on at 11.32am, proceeding down to the city’s War Memorial on the High Street. The beacon lighting will take place later that day, in Castle Square, at 9.15pm.
The parade, consisting of 150 RAF personnel, will march from St Martin’s Square down Lincoln High Street to the High Street War Memorial. Upon arrival, they will be greeted by Lincoln’s Town Crier, who will deliver a dedicated commemoration cry to the RAF station. This will be followed by a salute from the Lord Lieutenant/Commanding Officer.
The day’s events will culminate in the evening with the International Tribute, alongside the lighting of the beacon, commemorating D-Day and giving thanks for eighty years of peace and freedom.
Kate Fenn, Civic and International Relations Manager at City of Lincoln Council, said: “This event highlights the city’s support for the RAF and is also in remembrance of the events that took place on D-Day. We will mark these historic anniversaries and the contribution RAF Waddington has played in our community. We encourage members of the public to attend and show their support for this special event.”
All-star Motown comes to Lincoln Castle!
On Saturday 13th July, Lincoln Castle will be host to Midsummer Motown.
Top of the bill will be the spectacular Nya King as Whitney, with special guest Roy G Hemmings of the legendary Drifters, with his Motown Revue.
Midsummer Motown will also feature Rory Jackson from TVs Britain’s Got Talent as Michael Jackson, supported by backup dancers.
Last but certainly not least, the original Motown show from the USA – the Edwin Starr Band starring Angelo Starr.
This epic night of Motown isn’t one to be missed. Secure your tickets today on https://livepromotions.co.uk/midsummer-motown/.
Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/livepromotionsconcerts/
Go ahead given to new food waste recycling site
A food waste recycling operator in Lincolnshire, BioteCH4, has been granted planning permission to build a second anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in the region, increasing the capacity to turn unavoidable food waste into green energy and biofertiliser.
The application for a new plant at the Hemswell Cliff Site near Gainsborough was approved by Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday 3 June.
The new 6MW AD plant will include a waste reception building, three digesters, a gas bag and a new access road. It will produce a quantity of green energy that is equivalent to powering over 19,000 homes when fully operational.
AD is the most sustainable process of recycling food waste, into methane-rich biogas and biofertiliser. Last year, BioteCH4 recycled over 600,000 tonnes of food waste across its six sites, transforming it into 300MWh of energy.
Lee Dobinson, Chief Commercial Officer at BioteCH4, said: “We’re pleased to receive planning permission for a new anaerobic digestion plant at our Hemswell Biogas site. The new facility will increase the group’s processing capacity by 200,000 tonnes annually. This will allow us to meet growing demands for food waste recycling, increase green energy outputs, and further strengthen our voice as market leaders.”
Picture: Hemswell Biogas site. Image credit: BioteCH4
